EcoSolutions is one of CBEC's enterprises which provides waste minimisation education throughout Northland. 
EcoSolutions was formed over 17 years ago as a community environmental hub that provided advice on minimising waste and protecting the local environment from activities that cause pollution and degradation.
EcoSolutions focus is waste minimisation education and implementing behaviour change towards how we perceive and deal with waste in our homes, our businesses and the local community.    Waste minimisation programmes are delivered to schools, businesses and community groups in an effort to divert waste from going to landfill. 
We educate business and the community on how much of what is going to landfills is a potential resource that could otherwise be re used, recycled or repurposed.  

Get to know our awesome EcoSolutions team

We bring a vast variety of experience, but are all united by our passion for waste minimisation and a more sustainable future.
We're from all over Northland and are based mostly at either our Whāngarei or Kaitaia offices.

Jo Shanks the EcoSolutions Manager. I have been training for this role for my life, just didnt know it! Years of living with little has taught me to live sustainably and appreciate the whenua, I love to show others how empowering it is to live with nature, and love living lightly!

Environmental Educator 
My name is Anouk and I came from The Netherlands many years ago. New Zealand for me has a been a journey of getting my feet in the soil and becoming connected to the earth we live on. I became passionate about looking after the environment when I jumped off a yacht in the pacific on the equator and my friend fished out a plastic bag between his fingers - we were miles away from anywhere.  

​I feel so lucky that in my job as an environmental educator I can share my passion about the beauty of our planet and share some knowledge about ways in which we can look after it better.  Working with school children, businesses, community groups and event organisers  gives me a great scope of work in a large variety of topics varying from plastics in the ocean to composting and I simply love it!

Merryn Smith

Environmental Educator

Our Far North EcoEducator and Textile upcycle expert loves reducing waste in the community and schools, She also runs Ano Ano for Te Pokapu Tiaki Taiao (the Far North Environment Centre) one of our wonderful collaborations.

Sharee Cawley

Environmental Educator ​

Our Far North and Doubtless Bay Eco Educator has been working with schools, organisations and the community to protect sand dunes and our wildlife, now she is leading change in schools and organisations. Reducing waste, caring for Papatūānuku and increasing happiness is her specialty!

Whangarei Team.

Cezanne Hamilton

Environmental Educator ​
​​Whether teaching water conservation, protecting our whenua, or leading her zero waste lifestyle - Cezanne is an example we can all follow. Cezanne has experience working in environmental monitoring and has seen first hand the conscious actions we need to take in Northland to protect our beautiful environment. With her infectious enthusiasm, combined with her environmental knowledge, she makes a great Eco Educator.

Bronte Hamilton

 Compost Connection coordinator
​Our  Compost Connection and Whangarei communications expert, empowers folks around her to get out and make a change, she makes learning to reduce waste fun!

Jane Reed

Jane is an experienced zero waste consultant, she will help any organisation to reduce waste and increase kaitiakitanga! She is also a trained teacher and loves to visit schools and kindis to decrease waste.